10 Best Ski Resorts in Canada and the US

Ski season is upon us! And you know what that means: it’s time to start planning some epic winter vacations. To help, we’ve researched some of the best skiing spots across North America, from the snowy peaks of Whistler Blackcomb and Big White to the ski towns of Vail and Telluride. 

Keep on reading to discover the top destinations for carving, schussing and shredding.  

Best ski resorts in Canada

• Whistler Blackcomb
• Lake Louise Ski Resort
• Sunshine Village Ski Resort
• Sun Peaks Ski Resort
• Big White Ski Resort

Best ski resorts in the US

• Vail Ski Resort
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
• Park City Mountain Resort
• Breckenridge Resort
• Telluride Ski Resort

With the Rocky Mountains stretching across British Columbia and Alberta, it should come as no surprise that Western Canada is home to some of the most popular ski resorts in the country — and the world. 

Destination: Whistler, British Columbia
2023/2024 opening day: November 23, 2023

We’re going to kick things off by putting a spotlight on the largest ski resort in North America: Whistler Blackcomb. You’ll find 8,171 acres of terrain, 200 marked runs and 16 open bowl skiing areas across these two mountains — plus a couple of terrain parks and a tube park. In other words, it’s a family-friendly mountain resort that people of all ages and skill levels can appreciate. Not to mention, Whistler has some amazing attractions and après ski options, from the rowdy Longhorn Saloon to the refined Mallard Lounge (espresso martini, anyone?). 

Destination: Lake Louise, Alberta
2023/2024 opening day: November 10, 2023

If taking in stunning mountain views is as important to you as shredding some pow, head on over to Lake Louise Ski Resort. No matter which chairlift you decide to take, you’ll find beginner, intermediate and expert routes. Just getting into the sport? Stick to the groomed trails. Travelling with a group of advanced and expert skiers? Sign up for a backcountry tour. This truly is one of the best ski resorts in Canada. Just keep in mind that there’s no on-site accommodation — travellers usually opt to stay in the nearby town of Banff.

Destination: Banff, Alberta
2023/2024 opening day: November 10, 2023

Speaking of Banff… if you’re already in the area, you might as well carve out another day of your ski vacation for Sunshine Village Ski Resort. In addition to its incredible terrain and great ski school, this mountain boasts the Sunshine Mountain Lodge —  some of the only ski-in/ski-out accommodations in town. It’s also worth noting that Sunshine Village Ski Resort, along with Lake Louse Ski Resort and Mt. Norquay Ski Resort, make up what’s known as the “Big 3”. They’re all located within 130 kilometres of each other, so why not knock three of Canada’s best mountains off your must-ski list in one trip?

Destination: Sun Peaks, British Columbia
2023/2024 opening day: November 18, 2023 

Despite being the second largest ski resort in Canada, Sun Peaks is relatively unknown — it welcomed just 250,000 visitors during the 2021 season. To put that in perspective, Whistler Blackcomb sees over 2 million skiers and snowboarders on its runs each year. Of course, that doesn’t mean Sun Peaks doesn’t deserve a spot on this list. Its uncrowded slopes, beginner terrain, large variety of ski-in/ski-out lodging and picturesque European-style village make it the ideal spot for a low-key ski vacation. 

Destination: Kelowna, British Columbia
2023/2024 opening day: November 23, 2023

Tree skiing? Check! Powder skiing? Check! Cross-country skiing? Check! Night skiing? Check! Big White has got it all. No wonder it has a reputation for being one of the best ski resorts in Canada. Located in the interior of BC, this mountain transforms into a winter wonderland each year. Even if you’re not into skiing or snowboarding, there’s a ton of fun to be had. Dog sledding, tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing and other activities are on offer throughout the season.  

It was really hard to choose which Canadian mountains to feature in this post, so here are a few more — including a couple east coast skiing options. 

When you think of snowy mountain getaways in the US, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah probably come to mind — and for good reason. You can find some world-class ski resorts peppered across these states.

Destination: Vail, Colorado
2023/2024 opening day: November 10, 2023

Compared to Aspen and Breckenridge (both of which started as mining towns), Vail was established as a ski town — and it shows. Vail Ski Resort is the largest ski resort in Colorado, offering 5,317 acres of varied terrain across eight ski areas. There’s something for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, from the sweeping beginner trails at Game Creek Bowl and the beginner and intermediate terrain at Mid Mountain to the extreme terrain at Blue Sky Basin. It really is an exceptional mountain. But for that, you’ll have to pay the price: Vail Ski Resort lift tickets are some of the most expensive in the US.

Destination: Teton Village, Wyoming
2023/2024 opening day: November 24, 2023

Advanced skiers and snowboarders, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is the place for you! Firstly, it has some steep and diverse terrain — as well as one of the most challenging ski runs in North America, Corbet’s Couloir. Secondly, it has multiple terrain parks and Burton Stash parks. These mountain playgrounds, designed by snowboard legends Jake Burton and Craig Kelly, feature jumps, rails and other obstacles made from natural and organic materials. Catch air and jib on creative elements such as the wall ride at Deep Flat Stash, the wooden quarter-pipe at Campground Stash and the satellite dish at “Stashley” Ridge.

Destination: Park City, Utah
2023/2024 opening day: November 17, 2023

Want to do some sightseeing in addition to hitting the slopes? Head to Park City Mountain Resort in Utah. Park City was founded as a mining district in 1869 — and you can see some of the remnants from its history scattered across the mountain. Not only that, but the downtown area is packed with shops, heritage buildings and restaurants (read: a lot of après ski opportunities). You have to rest your legs at some point, right? Might as well explore the neighbourhood. Of course, the conditions also help make this one of the best ski resorts in the US. The mountain saw a record-breaking 636 inches of snow last year!

Destination: Breckenridge, Colorado
2023/2024 opening day: November 10, 2023

Trying to extend your ski season? Due to its snow quality and high elevation, Breckenridge Resort (known to locals as “Breck”) is usually open well into May. You know what that means? Spring skiing with bluebird days upon bluebird days! In addition to offering some of the best skiing conditions — thanks to an annual average snowfall of 355 inches — it has a diverse range of skiable terrain for the entire family:

• Beginner Terrain: 11%
• Intermedia Terrain: 31%
• Advanced Terrain: 24%
• Expert Terrain: 34%

Because of this, it’s incredibly popular. If you’d prefer for there to be fewer crowds and shorter lift lines, try heading to Breck on a weekday. 

Destination: Mountain Village, Colorado
2023/2024 opening day: November 23, 2023

Compared to some of the other mountains we’ve mentioned, Telluride Ski Resort is pretty remote. While it is located approximately six hours outside of Denver, we promise the drive is worth it! Since the resort sits in a box canyon, you’ll get to take in views of the (absolutely gorgeous!) surrounding mountains from every direction. Plus, Telluride has one of the more charming ski villages. While other mountain towns have been inspired by European cities, Telluride’s buildings have some Old West-inspired elements.

We couldn’t narrow down the best ski resort list for the US either. In addition to the mountains mentioned above, we suggest making your way to these other peaks, including those that are part of the Sierra Nevada Range.

Ready to chase the powder this winter? Check out our winter and ski vacations, or chat with one of our consultants today.